Closing arguments set in cop killing trial

Closing arguments have been scheduled next week in the murder trial of a man accused of shooting to death an Oceanside police officer.

The case closed yesterday with prosecutors and the defense lawyer for Meki Gaono presenting their final witnesses of the 5½-week trial in Vista Superior Court.

Gaono is accused of firing the shot from a rifle that killed police Officer Dan Bessant in 2006 while the officer assisted with a traffic stop.

The prosecution closed its case with an Oceanside police gang detective testifying about the culture of gangs and what it means when a gang member commits a crime. It gives that gang member status and bolsters the gang's reputation for violence, said Detective Gordon Govier.

The only witness for the defense was patrol Officer Scott Hunter, who testified that he encountered four Samoan men walking down the streetwhere Bessant was killed two hours before the shooting.

One of those men walked into the garage of the house where the fatal shots were fired, Hunter said.

Following the testimony, Judge Runston “Tony” Maino denied a motion by defense attorney William Stone seeking to have the charges against Gaono thrown out for lack of evidence.

In his ruling, Maino said he believed an appellate court reviewing the facts would uphold a guilty verdict if Gaono were convicted.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday with jury deliberations expected to begin the next day. Jurors will then have to review the testimony of 75 witnesses and consider the nearly 400 pieces of evidence submitted in the case.

Gaono, now 20, has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. He could face life in prison if convicted.

Authorities contend Gaono and two other teens were drinking beer on the evening of Dec. 20, 2006, in the Mesa Margarita neighborhood of Oceanside when they opened fire on Bessant, Officer Karina Pina and a civilian who was accompanying the officers.

Bessant, 25, who was married and had an infant son, was shot by a .22-caliber rifle equipped with a scope fired from about 110 yards away. He died of a single bullet wound under his left arm.